[Vocabulary] champion

[angelene001]

Is a winner in any kind of competition in sport called "a champion"? No matter if it is a local competition, school competition or national competition.
For example:
'Last year I was in a rowing competition. My team was first' says Grace.
Is Grace a champion?
Can we call her a champion not knowing anything more about this competition?

 

[Rover_KE]

Yes.

champion n

• a person who has defeated all others in a competition:

(Collins)

 

[SoothingDave]

Yes, you can be conference champion, regional champion, district champion, state champion, etc.

 

[Roman55]

I am not a teacher.

One should be wary of how dictionary definitions are interpreted.

The winner of a championship is correctly called a champion. The winner of other sporting events may be a champion or just the winner.

The winner/champion has not necessarily defeated all other participants. Some of them may have been defeated by other competitors before having the opportunity to go against the ultimate "champion".